Gerard Ellis commits future to London Irish

Exciting young hooker Gerard Ellis has signed a two year contract extension with London Irish that will keep him at the Club until at least 2017.

Gerard has been at London Irish since the age of 14 when he first joined the Club’s Academy. He moved to Wales for Sixth Form to further his rugby education at the renowned rugby school Llandovery College.

He was one of just two boys from Welsh schools to be named in the Rugby World All Stars Team of the Year for 2011. Selection for the All Stars Team is considered in rugby circles as a very reliable indicator of the future stars of the game.

The physical forward made a real impact last season gaining a starting position in the back row alongside Kieran Low and Ofisa Treviranus. He has made 17 appearances scoring two tries.

The 21-year-old spent this summer in Australia at Sydney University where he honed his skills as a hooker. He returned to Sunbury in pre-season to challenge David Paice, Jimmy Stevens and Mike Mayhew for the starting hooker berth.

Commenting on his decision to re-sign Ellis said: “I have been at London Irish for a long time and I was more than happy to extend that stay for another two years. The direction the Club is moving in is very promising and the ambition of the owners and the set up at our new Hazelwood training ground made extending my contract a straightforward decision.”

London Irish Director of Rugby, Brian Smith added: “Gerard is a tremendous athlete and a warrior whenever he takes to the field. He is disciplined and has developed really well in the last year under the guidance of Dec Danaher, Glenn Delaney and David Paice and will only get better. If he continues to work hard I believe he has the ability to be a great player for London             Irish and a future Test player.”

Academy Coach, Declan Danaher said: “Gerard has worked very hard on his game since joining the senior Academy and has grasped every opportunity he has been given in the back row or at hooker. He has great work ethic and is a good learner and he is only going to kick on to bigger and better things.”